Is there really need for pegasi and unicorns?

[ManaMinori 4,149]

I know the main reason they're there is for diversity in pony races, but I remember back in Hearthswarming Eve, how both races as a whole were supposed to represent, and still are represented in modern era. Pegasi are the militaristic race, and stewards of the weather, while unicorns are magical manipulators, with many dangerous spells at their disposal, along with many magical villain threats.

 

If the Tree of Harmony is supposed to be the force that protects Equestria with its own power, given to the ponies who best represent its elements of harmony, then is there really need for a race of pegasi military or magic weilding unicorns? Also, I can't help but think that since the tree of harmony is the grander power, which all of Equestria-including the Princesses and mane 6- rely onto save their butts, and take orders from, that since the tree lies in the Everfree- a place where nature, weather, and magic are unmanaged by ponies, that the state of the Everfree, likely managed by the tree itself, is meant to be for all of Equestria.

 

What do you guys think? Is there any need for pegasi and unicorns, if the ToH seems to be the only living force needed to protect Equestria with its power through the spirits of its elements? And if the self-managing state of the weather and magic in the forest is what was likely meant to be for the whole of Equestria?

 

Can you see this issue of unicorns/ pegasi being irrelevant by some pony, and coercion/ belief that the Tree and self-managing magic the Everfree should rightfully reach beyond the confines of the forest, in later seasons of FiM? Should FiM be presenting more morally motivated antiheroes in situations such as this?

[Unlikeable Pony 2,700]

I don't think the everfree forest is intended as the natural (or at least "best") state for equestria. The tree of harmony seems to be a lock AGAINST the everfree forest spreading rather than heralding the everfree forest.

Essentially the everfree forest seems more like a corruption of the world that the tree of harmony is protecting the rest of the world against, given how celestia and luna talk about how the tree would still be powerful enough to keep the everfree forest in check without the elements when they take them from it.

 

 

 

As for what use a militaristic race have with the tree of harmony around: keep in mind they were living in a land far outside the reaches of the EOH and the EOH was probably, AT BEST a myth or legend: They blundered into equestria by accident after all, so they most likely had no clue where the tree of harmony was at. So them deciding that the tree of harmony would protect them and they had no need for a military would be kind of like people sitting down and professing that there is no need for a military due to religious beings watching over them.

And as shown by the many villains who curbstomped the world in the bad timelines, without ponies actively using its power to defend against evil, the tree is perfectly willing to stand by and allow the world to be genocided (or possibly CAN'T act without ponies communing with and using it like how the Mane six used the EOH)

Edited December 21, 2015 by Unlikeable Pony

[Lil Pip 775]

Pegasi and Unicorns are beloved, and add more dynamics to the world of Equestria. I don't know why you view them harshly. Its an American show so of course its going to have some American elements such as the Pegasi being interested in similar things as an Air Force or military. But idky people would choose to worry about it. Kids love magic, they love flying, its as simple as that. I also love magic and flying. But perhaps some kids like aciton of course, thats where the military aspect comes in and because some families often choose to join the military perhaps their siblings cousins or parents joined. 

[Lambdadelta 1,462]

Earth ponies cant defend themself from magical threats (so far we cant see any Earth Ponies can stand against them), so we need unicorns. No Pegasi, no cloud, no winter, no rain, so we need them too. EOH is some kind of nukes but they need to be triggered or the world is doomed (Cutie Remark).

[Malinter 3,064]

Its simple. Ponies are not native to Equestria. They migrated from a much harsher land where the rigors of survival meant little time for freindship but plenty of time for bitching at each other over who is really pulling the most weight.

 

Alicorns were a full race of ponies at one point and perhaps they know more of the tree but they mostly disappeared and the Tree of Harmony fell into myth and legend to the point that even Celestia and Luna, the last known alicorns at the time, weren't even sure was true til they rediscovered it.

 

Another thing is that each pony race evolved differently to survive different things. The pegesus are safe living in the clouds and can fly from danger. Unicorns rely on magic and can use that to build complex structures like fortified castles while the earth ponies relyed on strength and numbers, They had no real reason to live or interact with each other like they do in modern Equestria.

Edited December 21, 2015 by Malinter

[Landi 602]

Of course there is a need for pegasi and unicorns. The inclusion of pegasi and unicorns in the show was a great way to spice it up a bit. Instead of all ponies being the same, there are three different types, each with their own skill-sets and abilities. Plus, having unicorns and pegasi is a big draw to some people. If everypony was just an earth pony, I don't think I'd be as big of a fan of the show.

Along with that, Unicorns and pegasi play a big role in Equestria. Pegasus ponies are very important due to their ability to manage and manipulate weather. Without their grasp on the weather, Earth ponies wouldn't be able to grow food for Equestria. Along with that, their wings and ability to fly help aid Equestria in many ways. Whether that be mail delivery, military, or other jobs here and there. We've seen that pegasi play a major role in Equestria and there's no doubt they are important.

The same goes for unicorns. Even though they don't raise the sun and the moon anymore, unicorns are still very useful to Equestria. For one, they are the most powerful and magically gifted of the three. This allows them to do certain tasks with ease, thus making them very useful for tasks. Unicorn magic is a big part of Equestria and simply can't be taken out.

The show has done a fairly good job at showing the need for all three pony kinds. There are certain things they could do better (like not make unicorns so darn overpowered), but they do a decent job. I am really glad we have all three and I think that all three are needed.

[Goat-kun 2,530]

Unicorns can do everything and Harmony takes care of the rest. No other races required.